Bible Strands
1 Samuel 25:8
Ask your young men, and they will tell you. So let my young men find favor with you, for we have come on the day of a feast. Please give whatever you can spare to your servants and to your son David.’”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — David’s messengers address Nabal during a sheep-shearing feast, requesting provisions for David’s servants while noting their prior non-harassment of Nabal’s shepherds in Carmel. The exchange occurs immediately after the initial message is delivered and the messengers await a response.
The words — נְעָרֶי/ךָ (ne.'a.Rei./kha) means “your young men,” and חֵן (chen) translates literally to “favor” or “grace.” The text directs the messengers to secure Nabal’s goodwill by citing their past conduct during the shearing season.
The thread — The request for provisions during a feast parallels the rural observance of joy in Esther 9:19 and Nehemiah’s command to share rich food with those who lack portions in Nehemiah 8:10. These passages establish a recurring pattern of communal provision tied to sacred or festive occasions.
Why it lands — The verse requires a practical assessment of reciprocity and resource allocation when past protection meets present need. It demands a direct decision to extend or withhold material support based on explicit terms rather than unspoken obligation.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Ask thy young men, and they will shew thee. Wherefore let the young men find favour in thine eyes: for we come in a good day: give, I pray thee, whatsoever cometh to thine hand unto thy servants, and to thy son David.
Cross-references
- Esther 9:19 This is why the rural Jews, who live in the villages, observe the fourteenth day of the month of Adar as a day of joy and feasting. It is a holiday for sending gifts to one another.
- Nehemiah 8:10 Then Nehemiah told them, “Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send out portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
- 1 Samuel 3:6 Once again the LORD called, “Samuel!” So Samuel got up, went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you have called me.” “My son, I did not call,” Eli replied. “Go back and lie down.”
- 1 Samuel 24:11 See, my father, look at the corner of your robe in my hand. For I cut it off, but I did not kill you. Know and see that there is no evil or rebellion in my hands. I have not sinned against you, even though you are hunting me down to take my life.
- Esther 9:22 as the days on which the Jews gained rest from their enemies and the month in which their sorrow turned to joy and their mourning into a holiday. He wrote that these were to be days of feasting and joy, of sending gifts to one another and to the poor.
- Ecclesiastes 11:2 Divide your portion among seven, or even eight, for you do not know what disaster may befall the land.
- Luke 11:41 But give as alms the things that are within you, and behold, everything will be clean for you.
- Luke 14:12 Then Jesus said to the man who had invited Him, “When you host a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or brothers or relatives or rich neighbors. Otherwise, they may invite you in return, and you will be repaid.